Eric Clapton and Chet Atkins both said that he is the greatest guitarist they ever saw, and Todd Rundgren stated, “The two best guitarists in the world are Tommy Emmanuel.”
And yet all that means very little to the Nashville-based guitarist.
We are beyond excited to have Tommy Emmanuel perform on our stage at the Dixie Center for the Arts, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2023.
Although his expression is instrumental, he comes to the guitar much more like a vocalist, positively singing melodies through the strings. He inhabits the tunes he performs, delivering every nuance and turn of phrase. His own songs are also illuminated always with lyrical melodies that go right to the heart, such as his beautiful ode to his daughter, “Angelina,” or his great “story without words,” “Lewis & Clark.” That they resonate so deeply without words makes sense, as words only go so far. But music, coming from a genuine and joyful source, can go so much farther. Now with The Best of Tommysongs, he brings us a complete collection of his own songs, all rich with ripe melodicism and rendered with joy in real-time.
“When I was a kid, I wanted to be in show business,” Emmanuel said. “Now, I just want to be in the happiness business. I make music, and you get happy. That’s a good job.”
For more information visit www.dixiecenter.org.
